There are 327
teams in Division I college basketball, and each one begins every basketball
season with one dream -- winning the national championship. But before these
teams can win the championship, they must make the field of teams that are invited
to the tournament. Sixty-five men's teams and 64 women's teams are granted
invitations.

Teams for both the men's and women's tournament are chosen by a selection
committee, which is comprised of select university athletic directors and
conference commissioners. Each tournament has its own committee. The selection
committee meets between the Thursday and Sunday prior to the date selected for
the tournament's first game. Its job is to filter out the teams deserving of an
invitation. The decisions are announced on television
during Selection Sunday.

There are 31 teams that get an automatic invite to the tournament, which is
their reward for winning their respective conferences. Thirty of these teams win
their tournament through conference tournaments. The Ivy League does not hold a
tournament.

The remaining invites, 34 for men and 33 for women, are left in the hands of
the selection committee. Of the teams left in the pool, there are certain teams
that are assured a spot in the tournament, teams that don't make the cut, and
then there is a third group of teams, called "bubble" teams, that
could go either way.